Judge denies bid to toss murder charges vs. Mass. parents in girl’s prescription drug overdose
By APTuesday, January 12, 2010
Judge denies bid to toss charge in girl’s death
BROCKTON, Mass. — A judge in Massachusetts has denied a bid to dismiss murder charges against parents accused of killing their 4-year-old daughter by overmedicating her with prescription drugs.
Lawyers for Carolyn and Michael Riley argued Monday that the murder indictment should be thrown out, arguing that a new medical report by a prosecution expert supports the couple’s claim that the girl died of pneumonia.
Judge Charles Hely denied the motion late Monday.
Prosecutors say Rebecca appeared gravely ill in the days before her death in December 2006. They claim the Rileys ignored pleas to take her to a doctor and instead gave her an overdose of medication she had been prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday in Brockton Superior Court.
